Chapter 155 – Staying at Lanruo Temple

The Veiled Moon Sword was nailed into the trunk of a tree, and the entire forest quaked, Dharma light illuminating the thick mist as it scattered in all directions.

“Ahhh—!”

“~~Roooar!”

The human-shaped mist formed from resentment and baleful qi let out shrill, mournful screams. As it fled, it was torn apart by Dharma light and sword qi, or else was forcibly nailed into the trees.

“Hmph! A mere cluster of yin and baleful qi, condensed into foul specters and phantoms—open!”

The upright voice resounded through the temple. As the single word “Open” was spoken, Dharma followed word and action. The trees and withered branches of the forest cracked and collapsed one after another with crackling sounds, while the spreading Dharma light pierced through the white mist and shot straight into the night sky.

Flocks of birds, startled in terror, cried out and scattered beyond the woods.

For a time, the townsfolk—those dozing under the eaves, or the wandering escorts of merchant convoys—looked toward the northern foothills. Dharma light shone like a brilliant arc at the horizon, while the wails of vengeful ghosts, carried by bursts of yin wind, made scalps tingle with numbness.

Even the chickens and dogs dared not make a sound. The townsfolk, gripping blades and swords as they stepped out of their homes, swallowed hard before they finally recovered their senses.

“There really are demons and ghosts in those mountains…” “See? I told you, the one who died yesterday was killed by demons or ghosts.”

“There must be an expert in the mountain performing rites!”

“Expert, my ass. I saw six people slip in there under the cover of darkness. They must have been eaten by the ghosts.”

“No, no—when we were drinking, I saw those six. Looked like they had their eye on some fellow with a donkey.”

“…I know, I know. That man came to lodge at my inn, later asked me for directions. Said he was heading toward Shangyong. By now, he should be resting at that Lanruo Temple.”

“Hey, wasn’t there a woman in black following him, her hands bound? Don’t tell me she’s the demoness behind all this?”

“…Now that you put it that way, it makes sense. Who else would bind such a fine young lady, unless she were a monster?”

“Quick, notify Er’gou’s family—their grudge has been avenged!”

As the hushed murmurs spread, the radiance above the forest gradually dimmed.

The thick mist dispersed, swiftly retreating and sinking back into the earth. The violently shaking branches stilled, hanging down in silence once more.

“Return to the sheath!”

With a sharp clang, the Veiled Moon Sword, pinned in the trunk, wrenched itself free and whistled through the air toward the temple gate. Startled, the six men crouching there shrank down once again in fright, as the Dharma sword shot inside and, with flawless precision, slid back into its scabbard.

The drooping glimmer at the corner of their eyes still flicked forward. The man in the rain cloak lowered his hand, and the leaves woven into the cloak rustled together, folding neatly with his movement.

Hoo—

The six men, crouched with their heads in their arms, finally let out a long breath. They had escaped death. After a moment, their Adam’s apples bobbed as they exchanged glances, slowly inching their hands and feet backward.

“…Many thanks, Senior, for saving our lives. We shall not disturb your rest any further.”

Having spoken, they retreated to the stone steps outside the temple, rose, and ran a few steps. Just then, within the temple hall, the firelight flickered, and Lu Liangsheng’s voice rang out toward their fleeing backs.

“Return!”

The six halted at once, whipping around and dropping to their knees.

One of them immediately burst into tears, crying aloud: “Spare us, Senior! We were blind and failed to recognize Mount Tai…”

Beside him, the bearded giant hastily struck him with his hand, then hurriedly spoke in his place.

“Senior, we six were merely passing by—truly only passing by.” “Yes, yes! We were headed for the town at the foot of the mountain to buy supplies, and lost our way in the forest.”

“Senior, please, rest in peace…”

But as they saw the figure walk over to the bookshelf, their expressions changed. At once, they flung away their blades, drew out their silver, and laid it on the ground. Pressing their hands and foreheads to the floor, they pleaded.

“Senior, we beg you to accept this token of gratitude!”

The bearded giant raised his head slightly and whispered: “This is all we have.”

By the bookshelf, the firelight reflected Lu Liangsheng’s figure as he walked over. He glanced at the kneeling men but chose not to expose them. From the rack, he picked out a few small pieces of broken silver.

“Just now, you too witnessed the ghosts and specters within this mountain forest, and you also know of the deaths in the town below.”

Speaking thus, he walked to stand before the six men. With a lift of his hand, a sweep of spiritual power pulled them upright. Overawed by the miraculous means, they stood stiff and bewildered, trembling as they looked at the rain-cloaked figure before them.

After a pause, Lu Liangsheng handed the broken silver to the bearded giant at their head.

“…This ruined temple was originally built to suppress the yin balefulness below. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, it has been abandoned. Without the formation to subdue it, the yin qi spread unchecked, giving rise to the specters and foul beings of the mountain. Fortunately, they have yet to gain sentience. Otherwise, the town below would not be safe.”

Hearing the cause, the six men’s hearts finally eased somewhat. The bearded giant looked at the silver in his hand and roughly guessed what task was being entrusted.

He clasped his fists and bowed. “Master, Senior, we were truly blind and failed to recognize Mount Tai. Please, give us your command!”

“Go down the mountain and buy brush, ink, and a few blank painting scrolls. Once you have them, return at daybreak. That way, you won’t run into gatherings of yin spirits on the way.”

Lu Liangsheng’s voice was calm. He reached out and lightly brushed the bearded man’s arm, leaving behind a streak of black.

“This mark will fade when you return up the mountain. If you do not come back, within half a day it will rot through your entire body.”

With that, he waved his hand toward them.

“Be on your way.”

The bearded man glanced at the black streak on his arm, his face dripping with cold sweat. He nodded repeatedly.

“Yes, yes! Senior, wait here a short while—we shall immediately descend the mountain and bring brush and scrolls.”

He spun around and kicked the rear of one of his companions, bellowing: “Hurry up! Delay this task, and I’ll split you in two myself!”

“Senior, please rest here in the temple. We will return shortly!!”

After running a few steps, the six turned back to bow once more, then scrambled off, stumbling and tumbling in a panic, dragging their weapons as they vanished into the forest toward the foot of the mountain.

When their footsteps had faded, Lu Liangsheng descended the stone steps. Not far ahead, he lifted his master, the toad who sat with flippers crossed over its chest, and set him upon his shoulder.

“Master, still angry?”

Hmph~

The toad gave a cold snort, folding his flippers tighter and turning his head away.

“As your master, I still believe it best to cut down the wicked and eradicate evil!”

Entering the temple, as the disciple sat down, the toad slid from his shoulder along his arm and seated itself cross-legged by the fire. Grumbling a few curses, he thought of the curse his disciple had placed upon the man’s arm, and at last felt somewhat appeased.

“Never thought Liangsheng would also grow a heart wary of others. This is as it should be. Best if you had set a strict hour for their return!”

Lu Liangsheng flipped over the bottom of the cooking pot, touched it with his fingertip, and smeared a streak upon the pale face of the tree demon who was peeking sideways at master and disciple.

“That was no curse—only a bluff. Otherwise, why would they bring me what I asked for?”

At the side, the tree demon in a black skirt rubbed the pot’s blackened soot onto her own face and hands, grinning as she reached out to smear some on the Toad Daoist. The toad shot her a glance, then turned away.

“I thought after the matter of Southern Chen you would have improved, yet your heart is still too soft.”

At the words “Southern Chen”, Lu Liangsheng merely smiled faintly in the firelight. Leaning against the broken wall, he picked up his book again and continued to read.

At the foot of the mountain, in the small town, lanterns swayed in the wind. Crowds had gathered in the streets and at the town gate, each telling what they had seen or guessed to those who had arrived late.

“That fellow leading a donkey—he must be a lofty Senior without doubt!” “Come, everyone light your torches, why not climb the mountain together and take a look?”

“Yes, perhaps we can help the Senior slay demons. If he looks kindly upon us, he might pass down superior martial arts, or Daoist arts and immortal techniques…”

Most who came and went through the town were merchants and men of the jianghu. Now that they had glimpsed rumored immortal methods and Daoist arts, the excitement and curiosity in their hearts could not be restrained. Clamoring noisily, they gathered several dozen strong. Before they could set out with weapons in hand, a group suddenly rushed out of the forest path in great haste.

Seeing the crowd, they immediately shouted at the top of their lungs:

“Out of the way!” “Quick, fetch brush and ink!”

“At Lanruo Temple, there is an immortal master suppressing evil spirits!!”

The words spread, and those gathered outside the town burst into commotion. Those who had only guessed so far became even more excited, and they rushed up to seize the six men heading toward town.

“How mighty is the Senior? Did you see Immortal Arts with your own eyes?”

“Step aside!”

The bearded giant shoved the man’s hand away, but when asked about the mountain, he could not help puffing out his chest. His gaze swept over the crowd, and he raised his arm—where the black line was drawn—and declared in a booming voice:

“A Senior like that—is he someone you common folk can see at will? Let me tell you, the six of us—up there we were nearly slain by ghosts and… what were they called? Nearly killed!”

As he recounted what had happened, he naturally added embellishments. His voice was so loud that even those farther away could hear clearly.

“…That sword, shining with divine light, flew with a swish straight into the mist. Instantly those demons and monsters revealed their true forms. Then again the divine light flashed—the Senior’s treasured sword, its sword qi ran rampant, the trees in the forest fell in swathes, ghosts and demons scattered, wailing in misery, their souls utterly shattered. It was nothing like the tricks of us men of the rivers and lakes—that, that is what true might is!”

Hearing this description, together with the strange signs seen on the mountain earlier, and the mournful cries unlike any made by men, the gathered townsfolk and jianghu men gaped in awe, their mouths hanging open. When they heard at last the origin of the yin aura and the reason for the recent deaths in town, they hurried back to fetch writing brushes and inkstones to hand over to the six men.

Some even brought along a great black dog.

“Take this as well. I’ve heard black dog’s blood can drive away evil!”

In the busy bustle, dawn was already breaking in the east. The six men carried a heap of the Four Treasures of the Study, dragging along the whimpering black dog, and rushed back up into the mountain forest, shouting noisily as they made for Lanruo Temple.

Before long.

Morning light broke through the clouds, spreading across the mountain slopes.

The figure leaning against the wall, hearing the cries of the six men from afar, slowly opened his eyes. He turned his face toward the temple gate, and the morning light fell across his features in a sheet of gold.

Some friends may say the protagonist is too much of a saint here—but in truth, this chapter is not yet complete…